EVERETT LAMAR KIMBROUGH
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly , so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
STARKVILLE – Everett Lamar “Crobar” Kimbrough went to help out the Lord on Wednesday, August 24, 2023. Lamar grew up in Clarkson, MS in a family of twelve kids. He spent a large portion of his time, hunting and fishing for food for the family and working in their cotton fields, bathing in the pond when he was through for the day. He was determined to go to college so he first went to Wood Junior College, cleaning the dorms to help pay tuition, and then on to Mississippi State University, where he hitch-hiked to get to and from school and spent his summers working for furniture moving companies to make money. While at MSU, Lamar obtained a BS and MS in Agricultural Science and obtained a bride from the Accounting Department, Katie Jackson Kimbrough. The couple departed for Blacksburg, VA where Lamar got his PhD at Virginia Polytechnical Institute. Lamar then began his lengthy career with the Extension Service, first in Raleigh, NC at North Carolina State University, then back home to Mississippi State, so he could help look after family.
Lamar found his true calling as an Extension Agent. He loved farm visits, wasn’t above pitching in and getting dirty when help was needed, and spent hours on the phone at night answering questions from farmers he had given his home number. He spent vacations visiting farms in different states, taking slides of fields to show during dinner meetings, usually for the Mississippi Cattleman, which he loved because you could always count on a good steak. He spent summers tracking and back tracking across Mississippi to judge 4H seed id competitions. Coworkers always wanted to ride with him to meetings and conferences because his tank of a car drove the smoothest and had a toolbox and several double paper bagged, detail labeled sets of clothes in case of emergency. He also knew where all the little Mom and Pop ice cream shops were in every area.
Lamar brought his kids up to believe that they were poor, with no allowance and having to recycle cans and work neighborhood jobs to obtain spending money. However, he also made sure they had reliable (used) cars when they learned how to drive and made sure the vehicles were serviced regularly. He tried to make sure his children were a success in college, encouraging them to get as much higher education as possible, while also holding part-time jobs of course. His methods must have worked since both kids grew up to be God fearing, law abiding, tax payers.
Lamar was passionate about growing his own food, not for organic (as a certified pesticide sprayer, he hated that word) reasons but to provide vegetables for as many people as possible. Everything that wasn’t eaten, canned, or frozen, was given away to people he thought were in need. He of course made his own chow chow, pepper sauce, and pickles, which he usually gave away too. He also had his own bees for honey, and he traveled with little plastic bears of honey to give away to anyone suffering from allergies. As Lamar reached his late seventies, he slowed the gardening down and gave away the bees, but he still gave away packs of nabs or peanuts while on his travels. And he continued to give of his time, his strength, and his knowledge as long as he was able. Lamar was the definition of a cheerful giver.
Lamar is survived by his wife of 58 years, Katie Kimbrough; his two children, David Kimbrough (Tammy); and Carrie Kimbrough; and his two granddaughters, Ellie Kimbrough and Abigail Kimbrough. He is also survived by everyone who his generosity ever touched. Hopefully his life can inspire us to work hard and be cheerful givers.
A service to remember Lamar will take place on Monday, August 28 at 10:00 at Welch Funeral Home. Due to Covid and the high temperatures, both the service and the graveside ceremony will be limited to family and close friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation at 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 and to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.
